Sample Message Templates

When you need to deliver critical messages during a critical event, make sure they’re already in the queue. Pre-written and pre-approved mass notifications save time, communicate clearly, and
prevent panic.

These carefully crafted Omnilert templates can be used right now in your communications plan or
can be customized with easily populated details.

Messages should be exact, concise, and time-tested to effectively keep you and those you care for safe, sound, and informed of urgent matters immediately. Whether it’s an alert for general security, severe weather, power outage, or an active shooter, get the word out — calm, cool, and communicated.

The following examples are provided to help guide you in creating your own templates. (See Message Templates for help creating new templates and Text Variables for help inserting dates and times automatically.)

1. GENERAL SECURITY

The General Security Alert message template can be ready and waiting for situations that specific alerts do not cover, such as a loose animal, a trespasser, a tripped alarm, and so on.

• Subject: Security Alert @ [ORGANIZATION NAME]
• Shelter in place. Lock doors/windows. Await further info. Check [URL] for more info. {{@time_gisat}}

More examples: Sample Templates - Safety & Security

2. WEATHER

Have the Weather Closing message already created and queued up to notify others about severe conditions. It can also be triggered by other weather alert systems if desired.

• Subject: Organization Closed on {{@date_med}}
• [Your Organization] is closed today, {{@date_med}}, due to inclement weather. For more info, visit [URL].

More examples: Sample Templates - Weather Events

3. POWER OUTAGE

Power outage notifications are created and set to deploy in an instant, which is extremely timely when the service failure itself may block the usual method for communicating.

• Subject: Power Outage @ [LOCATION]
• We are aware of a power outage. Repairs underway. For emergencies call [PHONE NUMBER]. More info [URL].

More examples: Sample Templates - Service Outages & Infrastructure Alerts

4. SERVICE INTERRUPTION

Similar to power outages, notifications for Email/ Network Outages can be on deck and ready to go. Delays are avoided, especially when the usual method for communicating may be blocked.

• Subject: Email Outage {{@date_ymdhmst}}
• [ORGANIZATION NAME] email/network systems down. Techs are working towards a fix. More info [URL].

More examples: Sample Templates - Service Outages & Infrastructure Alerts

5. ACTIVE SHOOTER

For Active Shooter situations, absolutely no precious time is wasted with a notification that is in the queue and set to deploy, well in advance of a volatile emergency.

• Subject: ALERT! ARMED INTRUDER
• SHELTER IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY. Armed intruder @ [LOCATION]. Police are responding. More to follow. [URL] {{@date_med}}

More examples: Sample Templates - Safety & Security

6. ALL CLEAR

All Clear is a notification that may be forgotten in the aftermath of an urgent situation, so it’s important to have this bonus message already on deck and ready to send

• Subject: ALL CLEAR @ [ORGANIZATION NAME]
• The situation has been resolved. Resume normal activity. More info [URL]. 

7. WEEKLY RETURN-TO-WORK HEALTH CHECK-IN

Sending a weekly notice using Omnilert's Scheduler feature can provide a quick way to remind your subscribers to check their health status before returning to school or work.

TIP: Including a link or number to call for more information is critical for this kind of messaging. 

• Subject: Weekly Health Check
• It is time for your weekly health check for [ORGANIZATION NAME].
  In the past 7 days:
  - Have you been diagnosed with COVID19?
  - Have you experienced any symptoms of COVID19?
  - Have you been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID19?
  If you answered "yes" to any of the above, please do not report to campus. Contact [PHONE NUMBER] for further instructions.  For more info: [URL]

Notes and Tips for building template messages: 

• The examples shown here are typically less than 160 characters to fit within a single SMS (text message).  Use your best judgment when creating templates with regard to message length; often a short text message conveys critical information most effectively. 
• Omnilert can support longer text messages, of course. If a text message exceeds 160 characters, Omnilert will truncate the message and send a link to the full content. 
• Take advantage of Omnilert's Text Variables option to automatically insert dates and times into outgoing alerts. This can save critical seconds when composing an alert!
• Also, you can take advantage of Omnilert's longer text messages and the Omnilert Instant app. For example, Omnilert will convert image URLs into viable images automatically.